Fort Detrick Says Wastewater Phosphorus Now Normal
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The Army is investigating a spike in phosphorus levels in treated wastewater from Fort Detrick in Frederick.
An installation spokeswoman says she learned of the problem late Wednesday. She says readings were back to within regulatory limits by Thursday morning.
High phosphorus levels can stimulate algae growth in waterways and harm aquatic life.
Maryland aims to limit the amount of phosphorus in treated wastewater in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to 0.3 milligrams per liter. That's the permitted limit for Fort Detrick.
The Army says it doesn't yet know how much excess phosphorus its wastewater treatment plant discharged into the Monocacy River.
The installation says it doesn't anticipate any adverse health effects to humans.
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